A grand jury in southern Illinois has indicted Elizabeth Conrad, a 54-year-old resident of Ramsey, Fayette County, on multiple charges related to an alleged conspiracy involving identity theft and money laundering. The indictment includes one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, two counts of mail fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud, one count of access device fraud, seven counts of money laundering, and seven counts of aggravated identity theft.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft cautioned the public about the risks associated with unsolicited offers: “Be extremely cautious anytime someone you have never met offers investments, employment, or asks for money, electronics, or your personal information—it’s likely a scam.”
Court documents reveal that Conrad allegedly acted as a "money mule" from June 2020 until September 2022. Money mules are individuals who transfer illegally obtained funds or valuables on behalf of others. This role complicates law enforcement efforts to trace fraudulent transactions back to the original perpetrators.
The indictment accuses Conrad of receiving packages at her home containing cash, checks, gift cards, and electronics from victims. She allegedly repackaged these items and forwarded them to her co-conspirators. Additionally, she is accused of attempting to deposit checks and transferring funds via cryptocurrency.
Ruth Mendonça from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service emphasized their commitment to protecting the nation's mail system: “Postal Inspectors seek justice for victims, including the multiple individual consumer and business victims in this investigation.”
Further allegations include Conrad's involvement in acquiring debit cards using stolen identities for bank withdrawals and purchases that benefited the conspiracy. The indictment details ten fraudulent transactions at ATMs and gas stations in southern Illinois between March and June 2022.
Conrad faces severe penalties if convicted. Mail fraud-related charges carry sentences up to 20 years' imprisonment each; access device fraud can result in up to 10 years' imprisonment; conspiracy to commit access device fraud is punishable by up to five years; while aggravated identity theft mandates an additional two-year sentence consecutive to other penalties.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service St. Louis Field Office is leading the investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Gross prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant who remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.